Chapter 7: Physics Flashcards
What is Physics?
The science that examines matter, space and time.
What is the study of an electric charge at rest?
electrostatics
What is the study of an electric charge in motion?
electrodynamics
What are the two kinds of electric charges?
positive and negative
What is electrostatic force?
the force between particles that is cause by their electric charge.
An electrostatic force can be repulsive or attractive, what are the differences between these.
Attractive -2 charges pull toward, happens when 2 charges are of the opposite type. Repulsive -2 charges push away, happens when 2 electric charges are the same type
Materials and objects are made up of atoms and molecules that are electrically neutral. What does electrically neutral mean?
Having neither positive nor negative charge because they have an equal number of positive charges and negative charges.
Is it possible to give a normally neutral material an electric charge?
yes
Give an example of how to give a normally neutral material an electric charge?
Rub two objects together
If two materials with opposite charges are brought close to each other, they may generate a spark (movement of electrons through the air) What is this called?
Static electricity
What causes lighting?
Clouds pass each other during storm, and exchange electrons.
What are free electrons and what material and they only present in?
electrons which haven broken away from their parent electron. They are only present in metal.
What is an electric current?
A “river” of moving electrons, forced to move by an electromagnetic field.
Give an example of an insulator (non-conductor, high resistance)
rubber, plastic, glass, paper.
Give an example of conductor(low resistance)
Most metals
What makes semiconductors different?
We can control their conductivity, we can switch it back and forth whenever we want.
Copper wire is an example of what?
a good conductor- current is able to flow easily along
Plastic is an example of what?
insulator - electrical charge can not pass through
Is the human body a good conductor? Why or Why not?
Yes because it is made up of mostly water which is a good conductor.
What are some good safety practices when working around electricity.?
Wearing safety cloths, gloves made of insulating materials and standing on a insulating surfaces. These will not allow current to flow through a person’s body.
When electricity passes through an object what happens?
it heats up
Do low resistance materials get hot?
yes very hot can reach more than 1000 C. and these materials can start to glow.
Name three types of electric light bulbs used today
Incandescent light bulbs, Compact fluorescent lamps CFL & LED light Emitting Diode.
Describe how an incandescent light bulb works.
current flows through a hot metal conductor
Describe how an compact fluorescent lamp works.
current flows through a gas
What is a tungsten filament?
most important part of a incandescent light bulb which is a very good conductor which does not melt easily and glows brightly at high temps.
What makes the glowing last longer in an incandescent bulb?
Inert gas which doesn’t react with tungsten is enclosed in a glass bulb.
Which releases less heat, making it more efficient, an incandescent bulb or compact florescent ?
Compact florescent because the current flows through a gas instead of a metal conductor.
What is the downside of compact florescent bulbs?
CFLS contain mercury (toxic substance) so they need to be handled and disposed of safely.
How does an LED, light emitting diode work?
Movement of electrons in a semiconductor material, as the electrons move they release energy in the form of photons.